Don’t plug those parking meters today

Whether parking is free downtown this week has been the subject of divergent opinions: when a reporter called the city to inquire, he initially was told no. But the downtown Business Improvement District, in its email newsletter, said there was no meter enforcement through today (weekends are always free). Given the confusion, the paper pursed the question right to the horse’s mouth.

Here’s the word:

Parking is free today, said Kent Harris, manager of transit/parking operations for the city, but that excludes bus zones, loading zones, red zones or, without the requisite placard, spots reserved for people with disabilities.

“We’re going to enforce those regulations,” Harris said.

But come Monday, New Year’s Eve, meter enforcement is back on. The next day, New Year’s Day, is free.